Considering McKinna is only 23 and most shot putters don’t peak until their late 20s, there is surely plenty more to come from her.

“There’s elation and disappointment all in 10 seconds, to visually be able to see three centimetres out on the mats is ridiculous but you’ve got to go with it and believe you’re confident and to be in the lead all the way through is a position I’ve never been in before,” said a disappointed McKinna.

“I knew Rachel was capable of throwing 17.50m at least so I knew I had to be over that and I wasn’t.

“I’m pleased to come away with a medal and to throw a personal best but I don’t want silver, I want gold.”

Sophie McKinna reacts after a thow. Picture: PA

Wallder added: “I managed to pull it out of the bag last year against Sophie so I knew I had that throw to deliver. I expect a lot of myself so I was delighted to throw a PB, but I really thought Sophie had got me on the last throw – it was a fantastic effort.

“Shot put has grown over the last few years and it is excellent to see Sophie throwing so well. She’s had a rough couple of years so it was great to have that competition.

“The atmosphere was amazing here; it’s the best I’ve ever experienced at a British Championships – it was a proper showcase of the shot put.”

Dereham’s Chris Baker was runner-up in the high jump behind Mike Edwards, who claimed his first national high jump victory with a jump of 2.20m.